I’ve interviewed a lot of writers, editors, actors, singers, artists and fundraisers over the past year. It’s my pleasure to start out a new year of interviews with a young man who is just starting out on his acting career. Fifteen year old Patrick Murphy asked me to interview him for his IMDb page, where portions of this interview will soon appear. Here’s the entire interview, conducted via email with his mother’s approval (as all of my interviews with teenagers are done).

Patrick Murphy

ANTHONY: Hi, Patrick! Thanks for taking some time to talk with me.

PATRICK: Thanks for allowing me to talk to you.

ANTHONY: So, you’re just starting out on your acting career. What made you decide you wanted to be an actor?

PATRICK: Well, I enjoy studying human character, and love to write! So ever since the 6th grade I have been wanting to act. So I have just started getting interested to move into the On-Screen acting career, which I am sure will be worth my time and money!

ANTHONY: What acting (stage, local tv, etc) have you done?

PATRICK: I have done many theatrical plays, with many lead roles. In “Little Anne” I was the Old Man. I’ve also done a few plays with a cast over 35 members large and made the lead role. Such as “Christmas in Comfort,” “Jolly Rodger and the Pirate Queen,” and my favorite “Ballad of Gopher Gap.”

ANTHONY: Breaking into the business is hard, and you’re not based in Los Angeles or New York City, where in-person audition opportunities are easier to come by. How are you getting the word out there to casting directors that you’re available and interested in auditions?

PATRICK: I have online accounts on many different casting websites that help me out a lot. My main casting profile is on IMDb. Not to mention I have a friend who is also an actor. She usually informs me about the surrounding casting calls.

ANTHONY: Are you working with an agent, an acting coach, etc? Who are they and how are they helping you get started on building your resume?

PATRICK: Yes, we just started working with the Cathi Larsen Talent Agency. They have not done anything major quite yet, but I’m sure things will happen in the near future! I also tried out for a movie called “Take A Chance” just recently in Birmingham Alabama. All I had to do is go in and speak from a script. And they took my picture. They did not have any major parts open though, so The Director gave me a very good Extra part!

ANTHONY: Where do you think your main interest/talent lies: comedy or drama? Why?

PATRICK: I would have to say mystery is what I am mainly interested in. I have always been fond of detective cases, such as murder and missing persons, also around the long plot that would lead to the suspect. I never missed an episode of “Criminal Minds” or “The Glades” when they would come on.

ANTHONY: Most actors’ resumes include a list of special abilities they can bring to a role. What sorts of things are you good at, outside of acting? What hobbies do you have?

PATRICK: Well, I mostly sing. I’m in our school choir, and also participate in church choir. I also write scripts. When I am not singing, acting, or doing school work, I’m writing scripts that I come up with off the top of my head.

ANTHONY: Do you play any sports?

PATRICK: I love to golf. I have been golfing since I was in 5th grade. I also play football around the house as well.

ANTHONY: If you could work with any adult actor or actress, teen actor or actress, and director, who would they be and why?

PATRICK: That is a good question. I would love to work with Matt Passmore, his acting in the show “The Glades” is very interesting. If I could work with any teen actor, I would have to go with Uriah Shelton. His acting in “Lifted” was very great! If I could work with any director, I would want to work with Matthew Gubler. He is a great actor, and a great director. I have seen him as a major ideal in my acting career.

ANTHONY: And my usual closing question: What is your favorite book, and what would you say to someone who hasn’t read it to convince them that they should?

PATRICK: My favorite book series was always “Among The Hidden”. There is just a great plot. The author wrote the story in such a way, that it builds alot of momentum before the climax of the story. It’s full of many curves of challenges and high spikes of adventure.

Anthony’s favorite punctuation mark is the semi-colon because thanks to cancer surgery in 2005, a semi-colon is all he has left. Enjoy Anthony's blog "Semi-Colon," where you will find Anthony's commentary on various literary subjects.